Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Des Moines, IA
VS
Roanoke, VA
🏆 Roanoke leads 12 of 23 categories
Des Moines
Iowa
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7
Median Household Income
$62,378 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
185⚠ High
Population
213,164 ✓ Larger
Roanoke
Virginia
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$51,523
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
99,213
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Des Moines, IA
Pros
Households earn $10,855 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (5.9%)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Cons
Violent crime (703.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3126.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Roanoke, VA
Pros
12% less violent crime than Des Moines
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 31°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Rent averages $78/mo less ($917 vs $995)
Smaller class sizes — 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (620.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Des Moines by $10,855/yr
Property crime (4055.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Des Moines
Median Income
$10,855
$62,378 vs $51,523/yr
Des Moines
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
5.9% vs 6.6% unemployment
Roanoke
Cost of Living
2% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 92.7 (100 = US avg)
Roanoke
Violent Crime
12% lower
620.4 vs 703.0 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Roanoke, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.7 | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $170,700 | $162,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $995 | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,378 ✓ Higher | $51,523 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.5 min ✓ Shorter | 20.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% ✓ Higher | 9.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High ✓ Safer | 175⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 185⚠ High | 163⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 149⚠ High ✓ Safer | 193⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.5:1 | 12.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.7% ✓ Higher | 28.4% |
| High School or Higher | 87.6% | 89.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Des Moines Independent Comm School District | Roanoke City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.9°F | 47.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.6°F | 88.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.5" ✓ Drier | 42.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.5" | 14.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 213,164 ✓ Larger | 99,213 |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 38.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 52.1% |
| Under 18 | 23.2% ✓ More | 22.2% |
| Over 65 | 12.4% | 17.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Des Moines's cost of living index is 92.7 vs Roanoke's 90.9 (US average = 100).
Roanoke is 2% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Roanoke leads 12 of 23 categories. Des Moines wins 11 and Roanoke wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Des Moines to Roanoke or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($170,700 vs $162,000 median home), income ($62,378 vs $51,523), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Des Moines, IA and Roanoke, VA are about 786 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.